Summer is almost here and the soundtrack is slowly starting to come into focus. As May rolls along, we’ve got some truly eagerly-awaited projects releasing this week, with one superstar making sure no one else gets any oxygen over the next 48 hours.
Drake not only dropped his long-awaited Iceman, but he also delivered two more albums! The 6 God will be what everyone is talking about this weekend, but there’s also other great music dropping today. We get the new FIFA World Cup anthem from Shakira and Burna Boy; plus the ageless queen Mya releases her first album in eight years.
A pair of West Coast legends and Death Row compadres are back in the saddle, as Kurupt and Snoop Dogg deliver their latest.
Tank and The Bangas drop the final installment in their critically-acclaimed Balloon series. We’re also getting the new project from Shaggy, and a gorgeous new track from Jorja Smith. Giveon delivers his new album, and we get the live version of Victoria Monét’s standout single.
Each week, Okayplayer will deliver a roundup of all the latest new heat from some of our favorite artists. Check out the latest offerings in our playlist below:
NEW SONGS
SHAKIRA & BURNA BOY – “DAI DAI”
Ahead of the FIFA World Cup, the Colombian pop star and Afrobeats king team up for this single in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. The two have great chemistry on a track that celebrates world cultures.
VICTORIA MONÉT – “LET ME” (LIVE RENDITION)
Ahead of her major tour with Bruno Mars, and following her earning her culinary school diploma, the singer returns with this live version of her standout single.
KURUPT FEAT. SNOOP DOGG – “SURVIVAL”
The Dogghouse may be divided (looking at you, Daz) but these two still work well together. Good to see that classic Death Row camaraderie remains intact.
MGK & WIZ KHALIFA – “GIRL NEXT DOOR”
Come for the Blog Era nostalgia and stay for the catchy tunes and early 2000s-referencing music video. The two stars team up for their first collaboration in close to 15 years.
JORJA SMITH – “WHAT’S DONE IS DONE”
This gorgeous track comes complete with an infectious instrumental from P2J, and bouncy energy that sounds perfect for the dancefloor. It’s also destined to become a summer anthem for anyone looking to hit the club.
CHUCK D & JOHN DENSMORE – “EVERY TICK TICK TICK”
The two legends teamed up for their collaborative project No Country For Old Men, and now the Public Enemy frontman and founding member of The Doors finally deliver a track to streaming.
FIEND – “SADISTIC”
Okay–serious question: is Fiend arguably the most underrated NOLA rapper of all time? The Louisiana representer returns with this stellar single, reminding everyone that he should be a lot higher on your “Greatest Rappers” lists.
STEVE AOKI, BIA & DESTROY LONELY – “YOUNG”
This is a high-powered romp that champions the life of partying and fast living. This is the kind of upbeat crossover record built for the festival circuit–and that’s not a bad thing. Full of youthful energy.
PAUL WALL – “ELBOW ROOM”
The Texas rap legend has been on an unbelievable run over the past few months, and he knows that he’s in the sweet spot when it comes to craft. This is an artist that knows who he is–and more importantly, he knows how to deliver.
HIT-BOY – “NATIONAL TV”
The superstar producer has been showcasing his diversity in these singles of late, and this is no exception. He still has one of the industry’s most golden ears, and his new track proves that he delivers some of his strongest production on his own work.
SKILLA BABY – “GYSM”
Sada Baby taught him well. The rapper out of Detroit has been doing big things since his breakthrough back in 2019, and his new single showcases his growth. The best of hustler music.
DANNY BROWN & HOLLY – “LIFT YOU UP” (BAAUER REMIX)
The off-kilter rapper and the genre-blending deejay deliver a remix of the banger “Lift You Up.” Another dancefloor destroyer (in the best way.)
RUCCI FEAT. KALAN.FRFR – “LETTER 2 MY BIG DAWG”
The rapper out of Inglewood has built his career brick-by-brick, the old-fashioned way. His grind is impressive, but it would be moot if he didn’t deliver strong music – and his latest is just another example.
9TH WONDER, JADA & S14H FEAT. MURS – “GOLDEN SOUND”
This guy kind of knows what he’s doing. The superproducer out of North Carolina showcases his proteges as he teams with West Coast mainstay MURS for this heater.
DIZZEE RASCAL – “C U DANCE”
The U.K. grime legend continues to reinvent himself and proves that you only hurt yourself when you stay in one place. He’s continuing to embrace body-moving tracks that sound like he’s moving into a completely different direction.
SAIGON & DEE 1 – “WELL WISHES, PT. 2”
They are two emcees who have proven time and again that their pen game is indisputable, and when you put them together, you get this kind of stellar, inspired track that makes you hope they’ll be teaming up more often.
THUNDEROUS CAPTION – “BPM”
The Brooklyn producer returns with this Bandcamp-only release. Atmospheric and haunting production set against the sound of falling rain, it’s the kind of alt-rap soundscape that the artist has become known for.
NEW ALBUMS
DRAKE – ‘ICEMAN’
After months of teasing the project, streams, leaks and endless internet chattering, Drizzy finally delivers on his ice cold promise. The 18-track project boasts appearances from 21 Savage, Future and Molly Savage.
DRAKE – ‘MAID OF HONOUR’
The unexpected second drop from Drake is a 14-song long player that features star-studded collaborations with Stunna Sandy, Central Cee, Sexyy Red, Iconic Savvy and Popcaan.
DRAKE – ‘HABIBTI’
And the third album drop from Drake features 11 new songs and another appearance from Sexyy Red. Drake also taps Loe Shimmy and Partynextdoor for the project.
MYA – ‘RETROSPECT’
The R&B superstar returns with her first project in eight years, an inspired throwback that celebrates the halcyon days of the 1970s and 1980s. A welcome bit of musical nostalgia that never feels like a gimmick.
SHAGGY – ‘LOTTERY’
Mostly self-produced alongside longtime collaborator Shane Hoosong, The 13-track project features a litany of high-profile guests, including Sting, Robin Thicke, Akon, Jeremih, Anthony Hamilton, Beres Hammond, Dexta Daps, Aidonia, 450, Noah Powa, and Olaf Blackwood.
KEVIN GATES – ‘LOST FILES: THE COLLECTION’
Some alternate versions, remixes and previously released songs in different formats. It may be for completists mostly, but it’s still a listenable collection (no pun intended) from the Baton Rouge rapper.
TANK AND THE BANGAS – ‘THE LAST BALLOON’
Following Green Balloon, which came out in 2019, and Red Balloon, in 2022, the collective out of New Orleans drops the final installment of the trilogy. With a welcome return appearance from original member Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph.
QUANDO RONDO – ‘UNTIL I RETURN’
Quando returns with his follow-up to 2024’s Here For A Reason. A strong 11-track collection of street rap bangers that also features some of his most introspective lyrics.
SMOKE DZA & MEMPHIS BLEEK – ‘TREES OPEN DOORS’ (EP)
They both get room to breathe and the music is better off for it. A melodic and hooky quartet of songs that showcases both rappers well; and benefits from some sumptuous cinematic production.
CHIP-FU – ‘INVISIBLE FOOTSTEPS’
The veteran emcee is still one of the game’s most unique voices as he delivers an album that highlights how a veteran artist can still push themselves out of their comfort zone while maintaining a sense of familiar stability for the longtime fans.
TONE STITH – ‘THE EDGE’
His abilities as singer, songwriter and producer are on full display. Crafting textures across melodic R&B, soul, funk and rock fusion, his vocals anchor the project in a universe that feels both unique and timelessly crafted.
GIVEON – ‘BELOVED: ACT II’
A project that showcases the definitive evolution of the eight-time GRAMMY-nominee. He brings in names like Kehlani, Leon Thomas, Sasha Keable and Teddy Swims, but there’s no doubt that his voice is front-and-center.
LUCKI – ‘DRGS R BAD’
His first album release since 2024’s GEMINI, and his hot streak continues. He’s built his reputation as one of independent hip-hop’s most talented and most consistent voices.
PIGEONS & PLANES – ‘SEE YOU NEXT YEAR 3’
A one of a kind compilation that boasts appearances from big names like Samara Cyn, Hit-Boy, Alemeda and Graham Bright.
KENNY MASON – ‘BULLDAWG’
The rap-rocker out of Atlanta recruits names like JID, Dominic Fike, Paris Texas, FearDorian, and others for his new album, a spiritual and gripping look into the consciousness of one of the city’s most unique voices.
BNYXⓇ – ‘GENESIS FM’
The producer/songwriter has long proven that he’s capable of crafting music that can sit at a lot of different tables, but on his latest releases, he gets to delve into his idiosyncrasies and the results are often impressive.
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